“Thank You, M’am”
By Langston Hughes
Before Reading
• Let’s look at two concepts:
– CHARACTERIZATION and PLOT:
How do the internal and external responses of the
characters influence the plot of the story? (This
includes their motivations and conflicts.)
– THEME:
What are the themes of the story, and how does the
setting influence the theme?
Characterization Notes
Characterization: the method used by the
author to develop a character
Characterization
Direct characterization:
The writer makes direct statements about the
character. He/she describes the character’s
traits or appearance.
Indirect characterization:
The writer reveals the character by allowing
the reader to infer information about the
character through –
•
•
•
•
the character’s own words
the character’s own actions
the character’s own thoughts
what other characters think and say about him/her
In real-life, you make
inferences about people’s
character traits everyday.
Just like an author, you base
your judgments on…
• the person’s words
• the person’s actions
• the person’s thoughts (if he/she expresses
them verbally or in writing)
• what other people think and say about
him/her
For example, if a student stormed into
class, slammed the door behind him,
threw his books on the floor, and
yelled, “I hate idiots,” what inference
might you make about him?
What evidence (from his words, actions,
thoughts, or other people’s words or
reactions to him), made you think that?
What inference might you make
about this student?
Kami stops in the hall to help Joe pick up his
books and scattered papers when someone else
“book checks” him. She gives you paper and a
pen for class even though she doesn’t really know
you. On the weekend, she volunteers at Mission
Arlington—helping to sort clothes donated to the
homeless. Other students recommend her for an
office aide position.
What evidence (from words, actions,
thoughts, or other people’s words or
reactions to her), made you think that?
• As you read this story, look at how
the characters’ responses to each
other, their own motivations, and
the events that occur drive the plot
of the story.
Theme vs. Topic
Theme vs. topic
• Topic: a general subject that a work addresses.
– A topic or subject might be love or prejudice. It is usually
expressed by a single word.
• Theme: the central message of a work, expressed as a
general statement about life.
– A theme is expressed as a complete thought. If the topic
is love, the theme would be what the author is saying
about love—for example, “Love is blind” or “Love heals
all wounds.” If the topic prejudice, the theme might be
“Prejudice can destroy great nations.”
Theme vs. topic
• As you read this story, try to decide what the
theme is. What do you think the author is
trying to say about life? (Remember: there
may be more than one theme.)
After Reading:
Characterization
Characterization
Direct characterization:
The writer makes direct statements about the character.
He/she describes the character’s traits or appearance.
Go back to p. 129. How does the author directly
characterize Mrs. Jones and Roger? With a partner,
record your answer on the Characterization and Plot
Activity.
Characterization
Indirect characterization:
The writer reveals the character by allowing the reader
to infer information about the character through –
•
•
•
•
the character’s own words
the character’s own actions
the character’s own thoughts
what other characters think and say about him/her
Now consider how the author characterizes Mrs.
Jones and Roger using these methods. With a
partner, provide specific examples on the
Character and Plot Activity.
Connecting to Plot
How do Mrs. Jones’s motivations affect the plot? What
does she want, and how does she behave to get it?
How do Roger’s motivations affect the plot at the beginning
of the story?
How about later in the story? How do his motivations
change, and how does that guide the plot?
Answer these questions with your partner on the activity.
Theme
Theme
The 3 Levels of Reading:
Level 1: Literal Meaning
Think of a significant word from this story—
one that you really think gets to the heart of
the story.
Examples:
shame, trust, want, hungry, clean, son, home
(A model with the word “contact” will be provided.)
On a blank sheet of paper, you will draw three circles
(or ovals) like the ones below. Use the whole page.
In the inner circle, you will write the word you have selected
and a definition (or definitions) for the word based on the
meaning you intend.
Contact: a relationship with a
person; a connection or
communication with someone
Now, write the sentence in which the word
appears in the story. Be sure to cite the page #.
Contact: a relationship with a
person; a connection or
communication with someone
“You put yourself in contact with
me…If you think that contact is
not going to last for a while…”
(130).
Theme
The 3 Levels of Reading:
Level 2: Abstract Meaning
• Think of four examples from the story that connect
to the word you have chosen.
• Draw or find pictures that represents those
examples and write a sentence for each one
explaining the link between the picture and the
word you put in the middle.
(A model with the word “contact” will be provided.)
You will place each of the 4 examples and their
explanations in the middle circle.
Contact: a relationship with a
person; a connection or
communication with someone
“You put yourself in contact with
me…If you think that contact is
not going to last for a while…”
(130).
Roger put himself in contact
with Mrs. Jones when he
tried to steal her purse; he
expected the contact to be
brief.
Mrs. Jones strengthened
her contact with Roger by
eating and talking with
him about choices in life.
Contact: a relationship with a
person; a connection or
communication with someone
“You put yourself in contact with
me…If you think that contact is
not going to last for a while…”
(130).
Roger had no contact with
anyone at home as he told Mrs.
Jones there was nobody home
at his house to take care of him.
Mrs. Jones continued the
contact in a firm way by
wrapping her arm around
Roger’s neck so that he
couldn’t escape.
Theme
The 3 Levels of Reading:
Level 3: Beyond the Lines- Thematic Level
• Consider the word you chose. What do you think
the author is trying to say about people and life in
general? What message from this story could you
apply to your own life?
• Write a sentence that tells the theme in the outer
circle.
(A model with the word “contact” will be provided.)
A person can make a difference in someone’s life by
spending time with them and showing that they care.
Roger put himself in contact
with Mrs. Jones when he
tried to steal her purse; he
expected the contact to be
brief.
Mrs. Jones strengthened
her contact with Roger by
eating and talking with
him about choices in life.
Contact: a relationship with a
person; a connection or
communication with someone
“You put yourself in contact with
me…If you think that contact is
not going to last for a while…”
(130).
Roger had no contact with
anyone at home as he told Mrs.
Jones there was nobody home
at his house to take care of him.
Mrs. Jones continued the
contact in a firm way by
wrapping her arm around
Roger’s neck so that he
couldn’t escape.
Multiple Themes
Once everyone has completed the Three
Layers activity, we will compare all the
different theme statements and discuss how
many different themes can be found in this
one story.
Influence of Setting
Setting – Influence on Plot
• Consider the setting of the story:
– What type of area does this story take place
in?
– Is it a rich or poor neighborhood? How do you
know?
– Is this a small town or a large city?
How could these things have an influence on
what happens (the plot) in the story?
Setting – Influence on Plot
 How might the plot change if the story took
place in a wealthy neighborhood?
How might it change if it took place in a small
town?
Discuss—notice how the setting really does
influence the plot of the story.
Setting – Influence on Theme
• Now consider how the setting might
influence the theme (or message of the
story).
How might the theme change if the story took
place in a wealthy neighborhood? Why would
it change?
How might it change if it took place in a small
town? Why?
Discuss these ideas.